Horse Racing: Hollywood Park, Dec. 13
December 13, 2012 - 2:02 am
TODAY AT HOLLYWOOD PARK
Post Time 12:30 p.m.
Race 1 - 1 1/16th miles, Purse $45,000, Maiden special weights, 2-year-olds
2 Manando - Bob Baffert has an uncoupled entry so caveat emptor; this one has early speed, the one to catch.
4 Curly Top - This is the other Baffert who figures to be running on late; Rafael Bejarano could have a monster day.
Long Shot - 3 Persuasive Paul
Race 2 - 6 1/2 furlongs, Purse $27,000, Maiden claiming $50,000, Cal-breds, 3-year-olds and up
5 Rock Me Baby - FTS from Craig Dollase; the owner West Point Thoroughbreds likes to win right out of the box.
6 Justification - Tepid favorite is the only horse with experience who looks like anything; needs a better start.
Long Shot - 2 Wilsy's Wonder
Race 3 - 6 furlongs (turf, rail at 15 feet), Purse $32,000, Starter allowance $40,000, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up
1 Vindicated Ghost - Speed and the rail is typically a good recipe; watch the weather report if we stay on the grass.
8 Scary Ride - Tough parking lot post in turf sprints; if Tyler Baze can break sharp and tuck in, chances will improve.
Long Shot - 3 Oscillator
Race 4 - 6 furlongs, Purse $34,000, Claiming $32,000, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up
6 There Is No Limit - Lot of class droppers in this field; just missed in last, now slides down one level for this.
4 The Gang and I - Emerald Downs trainer Jim Penney is sure to be overlooked here; tactical speed to sit a good trip.
Long Shot - 1 Royal Tiger
Race 5 - 6 furlongs (turf, rail at 15 feet), Purse $34,000, Claiming $32,000, 3-year-olds and up
3 Drift King - Mike Mitchell and Rafael Bejarano team up on the chalk; Bejarano can rack up a few tonight.
8 Blue Jay Attack - Tyler Baze for Rafael Bejarano who opted for Drift King; more than capable of pulling a small upset.
Long Shot - 1 Red Defense
Race 6 - 6 1/2 furlongs, Purse $25,000, Claiming $25,000, 3-year-olds and up
4 Zuboff - First race since being gelded; been away since August, this is a solid class drop for return.
5 Candy Waltz - Draw a line thru last, a test drive in a turf route; Mike Pender legs up Rafael Bejarano for the money shot.
Long Shot - 7 Until You
Race 7 - 1 1/16th miles (turf, rail at 15 feet), Purse $48,000, Cal-breds, Optional claiming $25,000, 3-year-olds and up
8 Jule Journey - Didn't have the best of trips in last; he seems to run a lot better for David Flores.
3 Slammer Time - Just missed last time in a comparable field to these; this may be the toughest race on the card.
Long Shot - 4 Alley Hondro
Race 8 - 1 1/16th miles, Purse $21,000, Claiming $12,500, 3-year-olds and up
3 Poker Dave - Second start off a 2-year hiatus; he might just be a fresh horse over some who have been racing all year long.
7 Donato - Could be lone early speed, although that still may not be enough; suspicious red flag drop from Julio Canani.
Long Shot -8 Low Gear Power
Best Bet - 1 Vindicated Ghost (race 3)
Hollywood Park Sunday - Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 19/6/$42.80; Long Shots, 10/1/$9.60; Best Bet, 1/1/$5.80
Hollywood Park Totals - 333/89/$557.20; Long Shots, 169/23/$254.00; Best Bets, 19/10/$42.80
SIMULCAST PLAY OF THE DAY - #1 Ambitoness (5/2) in race 9 at Gulfstream Park. For scoring purposes, we'll make a hypothetical $2 win, place and show bet, $6 total. On Sunday, Cinematize won at Aqueduct paying $7.50 to win, $4.00 to place and $2.70 to show. Stats - 182/124/$1,078.80; Follow him on Twitter: @richeng4propick